US embassy cable - 05ABUDHABI471

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000471 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 
TAGS: IZ, KDEM, PGOV, PREL, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE SUPPORT FOR IRAQI ELECTIONS 
 
 
Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reason 1/4 (b 
) and (d). 
 
1. (U) Summary: The UAE leadership,s public and private 
comments on the Iraqi elections were overwhelmingly positive. 
 President Khalifa,s 1/31 telephone call to the Iraqi 
President was widely publicized, while the UAE Ministers of 
Defense, Information, and Interior praised the 
higher-than-expected voter turnout.  End summary. 
 
2. (U) Top UAEG officials publicly and privately praised the 
Iraqi election results.  Both Arabic- and English-language 
newspapers reported on UAE President Sheikh Khalifa,s 1/31 
phone call to Iraqi President Ghazi Al Yawer, congratulating 
him on the success of the Iraqi elections.  President Khalifa 
called the election process a step toward the building of a 
better future for Iraqis.  President Khalifa also praised the 
elections in achieving stability, peace, and development in 
Iraq.  He wished President Al Yawer success and the Iraqi 
people progress and prosperity. 
 
2. (C) On 1/31, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of 
Defense Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MbR) told visiting 
U/S John Bolton and Ambassador that he was &very happy8 
that Iraqi elections were held on time.  MbR said that 
canceling or postponing the elections would have been seen as 
a victory for terrorists.  MbR also said that he was 
impressed with voter turnout and that even a 50% turnout 
would have been an achievement.  MbR also issued a statement 
to the press praising the Iraqi people for their nationalism 
as well as their commitment to regain sovereignty and restore 
security, peace and stability in their country.  MbR opined 
that Iraqi Sunnis have been &pushed down8 due to their 
Baath background.  However, if Sunnis do not come forward to 
vote, Iraq would never be safe for them as a minority.  He 
pointed out that the Sunnis are Iraq,s professional class ) 
doctors, professors, and lawyers ) and not having them 
involved in the electoral process would have left all major 
political decision-making to the non-professional Shi,a 
majority. 
 
3. (C) Minister of Information Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al 
Nahyan told U/S Bolton and Ambassador on 1/31 that he had 
been very worried about the elections, but was pleased that 
they went well.  He opined that many people who did not 
participate did so out of concern for their security, rather 
than due to political issues, and he believes that, in the 
future, more people will participate in the Iraqi political 
process.  Sheikh Abdullah said that the relative success of 
the elections was a big blow for &Zaraqawi and his thugs.8 
He also said that many Sunnis are worried that Shi,a cleric 
Grand Ayatollah Sistani may change his mind and run for 
political office at a later time.  Sheikh Abdullah was proud 
that approximately 90% of registered Iraqi voters in the UAE 
voted. 
 
4. (C) During a 2/1 meeting with the Ambassador, Minister of 
Interior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised Iraq for its 
successful elections.  He said that this election equaled 
Saddam,s ouster in importance.  He also stated, "I think 
this election will finish the  disease, of the insurgency 
in Iraq."  Sheikh Saif was very pleased with voter turnout 
levels, and said that the election process was an event of 
which the Iraqis should be proud. 
 
5. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
SISON